THE BOARD ROOM
Anchor Bay seniors map strategy for special seasons
Anchor Bay diver Adam Schmehl isn’t throwing a pity party over time lost to the coronavirus pandemic.
You might say the senior is diving head first into what remains of his prep career on the board.
“Right now I think we’re in a really great place,” Schmehl said during a dual meet against Lakeview last week. “I think this break has been good and bad for us.
“Before, we had been training seven days a week, year around. Then we had seven months off. It was hard getting back in the pool, but we’ve put a lot of hard work into it, and it’s paying off.”
Schmehl won a duel with teammate and fellow senior Edin DeHooghe during the MAC White meet against Lakeview.
He had been struggling with a dive that carried a high degree of difficulty, one that a season ago Schmehl was “rocking … killing for 6s and 7s” from judges.
But against the Huskies, he executed the dive to his liking.
“Something clicked today,” he said after scoring 230.25 points.
Moments like that, the Tar divers agreed, are motivating them during this condensed season that started later than usual.
“I think I’m in a better spot than I was last year,” DeHooghe said after scoring 219.65 points. “I thought I’d be a little behind. I’m pushing myself forward.”
Schmehl and DeHooghe plan to dive competitively in college.
But first, their final Anchor Bay seasons are a priority.
Both divers qualified for the 2020 state finals that were canceled in March because of COVID-19.
“A lot,” Schmehl said when asked how inspired he is to complete this season at the championship meet. “There’s a lot to make up for.
“I want to make the state finals for a fourth year in a row and win a gold medal,” he added. “My takeoffs aren’t where they used to be, but we’re still making great progress.”
Schmehl finished third and DeHooghe fifth in the 2020 regional at L’Anse Creuse North.
They were seeded third and 11th, respectively, for the finals. Both of the divers ahead of Schmehl were seniors.
“I had a good seed for the finals last year, but I’m going to push myself further to do better at regionals and get an even better seed in states,” DeHooghe said.
“Making states, proving to myself that even after a break I can still reach my goal, would make this a good season.”
Regional diving meets are March 18, and state finals are March 26-27.
One thing COVID-19 hasn’t taken from the divers is their stature as veterans of the game.
“We’re stronger mentally,” Schmehl, the 2020 Macomb County champion, said. “With time comes wisdom, and being seniors we’re thankful for that.
“Diving is a mental sport over physical in almost every capacity. You’ve got to be in the right headspace, you’ve got to be calm, cool and collected.”
“You have to train your body and mind to do what we do,” DeHooghe added.
DeHooghe plans to enroll at Boston University to study human physiology, and Schmehl plans to attend Indiana University– Purdue University Indianapolis to study engineering.
Both are ready to dive in — for academics and points in the pool.